I'm just back from —Brrr COLD —St. Paul where I spoke at the graduation of MFA students in Writing for Children and Young People at Hamline University, one of the few universities that offers such a program. Good people, good time, but it is bitter cold in St. Paul, and snowy when I was there. I did, however, get to go to the bookstore owned by Garrison Keillor —sadly, I forget its name—an important stop because I read and finished the book I'd taken with me, and therefore had nothing to read on the 3 hour plane ride home. Few things are worse than a bookless plane trip!
I decided, incidentally, to go ahead and read the story "Snowbound" despite a few children in the audience. I substituted some milder expletives where I could and blurred the f-word so that it sound like furgghhing. So, in the scene where the college girl nudges her repulsive boyfriend in the night and whispers, "Sweetie? You're snoring".....he now replies angrily, "So? I told you I have a furgghhing deviated septum!"
Maybe it's a medical term.
I have received a comment to the last posting which asks about the status of THE GIVER movie so I will try to fill you in.
For a number of years Jeff Bridges held the rights to make the movie of THE GIVER and he was very committed to it, very enthusiastic abut it. He is a good and decent guy so it was fun being friends with him during that time. But his option expired last March and reluctantly I did not renew it, because he had simply not been able to get the major studio backing required for financing.
Immediately after his option expired, it was bought by Red Wagon Productions in conjunction with Warner Brothers. So the financing was in place, and they hired British director David Yates (HARRY POTTER) who is currently doing the next (and last) HP film. He is set to begin work on THE GIVER when he finishes that project.
HOWEVER...there is always a however, isn't there?....the screenwriters' strike, which has now been going for several months, has thrown a monkey wrench into everything in the movie industry. Writers are not allowed to write, to meet about writing, to talk about writing, to think about writing, until it ends. Many films are stalled and some have been scrapped. As far as I know, THE GIVER is still in the works but nothing more can happen until the strike ends.
I will keep you posted.
In the meantime, here's a lovely photo of some second graders in Pennsylvania who are big Gooney Bird fans. Note the outfits.
OOOOO David Yates to direct The Giver?!? yay!
So glad to hear that The Giver might finally be brought to the big screen!
Posted by: sandi | January 23, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Each morning when I arrive at school, I first check my email, and then your blog... what a surprise this morning to see the smiling faces of my class on Gooney Bird Greene Day attached to your latest posting! The kids will be so excited when I show them today, I'm sure--thank you! I hope you liked Emma's story.
Julie
Posted by: Julie McG | January 24, 2008 at 03:57 AM
I think The Giver was the first book I read as an adult that helped me understand the power Children's Literature can have. Reading was always important to me growing up, but I really took for granted all the wonderful books I was surrounded by. I have read it and given it as a gift many, many times and really look forward to a big screen adaptation.
Posted by: Kelsey | January 24, 2008 at 10:48 AM
After 20 years as a military wife and mother I returned to college and am majoring in screenwriting. I am currently enrolled in an upper degree Adaptation class. Although I am not much of a reader myself, my (grown) children are. When I asked them if they could think of a children's novel they had read that had not been produced into a film, but they would go see in the theatre if it was, they said, "The Giver"! So, I read the book and they are right...it would make a great movie! I only wish I had the rights! Hope to see it on the silver screen very soon.
Posted by: Anita | January 25, 2008 at 04:22 PM